ZAINAB JUNAID
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu on Thursday, promoted customs community relationship agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi by visiting the Ojora of Ijora land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulfatai Aremu Aromire.
Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Olomu, who was accompanied by senior customs officials of the command, congratulated the Monarch on his recent celebration of thirty years on throne and also use the medium to solicit Oba Abdulfatai’s support in achieving the command’s annual revenue target of N2.3 trillion.
“We are here to further propagate the customs community relationship agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Customs Community Relationship forms one of the basis at which the Service interact within the environment.
“I have made it very clear that we are going to strengthen the relationship between customs and the other stakeholders,” he said.
Speaking further, Comptroller Olomu emphasized that the community forms one of the key stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) adding there has been harmonious relationship between customs and the community since the establishment of Apapa Port.
“I feel that it would not be appropriate since I took over four weeks ago as the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, not to consolidate on the CGC’s policy thrust of ensuring a solid relationship with the Community, so we are just here to ensure that the directive of the CGC is fully complied with.
“I wish to also on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service congratulate you on the thirty years on Throne of your four fathers.
“We want to intimate you on the fiscal policies of the government, first is that the service is expected to bring a sum of N5.1Trillion into the coffers of the government, out of which N2.3Trillion is coming from Apapa port.
“We feel that as major a critical stakeholder in the community, you should be informed of this, and the very cordial relationship that had existed between the customs and the community continue to flourish,” Olomu stated.
In response, the Oba of Ijora, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulfatai Aremu Aromire, Ojora of Ijora land, appreciated the CAC’s presence at his palace, saying it’s the first time a senior customs officer would be paying a visit to his Palace.
The monarch subsequently rained prayers on Comptroller Olomu, wishing him a successful tenure.
His words, “I am the happiest man today because this is the first time in 30 years that a customs boss is coming to visit the Palace.
“This is the first time in the last thirty years that a customs officer with this big rank will visit me.
“Your tenure shall be successful because you have cooperated with the elders.
“Before you were here, we have been cooperating with the customs, even with all the security agencies. I am giving you an hundred percent assurance that we would cooperate with you, if anyone is not doing well, just call me and I will call them to order” he said.
